Dental Implants in West Kendall
Dental implants in West Kendall are an unavoidable part of life for many of us. If you eat food in America, then it’s likely that you will need a filling at some point in your life. Though this can be a frightening experience, the relief you will experience after getting the dental implant will be worth it.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a medical device that implants a false tooth, or, in the case of the All-on-4 implants, a full denture. They are a more permanent solution to a lost or severely damaged tooth. Specifically, they are a replacement root, usually made of titanium or another non-reactive metal to which a tooth-shaped cap is attached. A dental implant is the most durable solution for tooth replacement on the market today. Implants also give the user a natural tooth experience reducing the need for extra caution, or lifestyle changes.
With dental implants, you don’t need to change your eating habits or even use special cleaning techniques beyond the initial recovery period.
They are usually shaped like screws and put in over a few months during 3 or 4 outpatient surgeries at your dentist. Though the process is a bit complicated, the end result is the closest that people will come to natural teeth.
Who Needs Dental Implants in West Kendall?
Most people think that the only people who need dental implants in West Kendall are older adults. However, people of all ages can benefit from dental implants. Though teeth are more likely to decay or have other serious issues later in life, there are a lot of reasons that you might need a dental implant earlier. Here are a few reasons.
1: You Lost a Tooth
There are many ways to lose a tooth. Whether it was a cavity left untreated for too long, or a tooth cracked from biting down too hard on stone fruit, many people find themselves losing a tooth throughout their life. A lost tooth can have a severe impact on both the confidence and quality of life of a person. People with lost teeth are often afraid to smile and have to be cautious while eating or doing other activities. A tooth implant can bring back that confidence and quality of life.
2: You Have Had One Too Many Fillings
Some people are just naturally prone to cavities. Though this doesn’t pose a problem when a person is young, it can be a real issue when people get older, as fillings fall out, and people sometimes don’t go back to get them put back in time. In some cases, the tooth is so damaged that it has to be pulled and replaced with a dental implant.
3: You Have Root Decay
Sometimes the root of the tooth can decay even though the upper tooth is okay. In this case, the entire tooth has to be pulled. After you heal from this procedure, a good substitute is a dental implant.
What is the Procedure Like?
Getting dental implants in West Kendall isn’t an easy process. However, if you consider the permanence of the procedure, it makes sense. It usually takes at least two to three outpatient procedures with significant recovery time in between them.
First, you have to do the initial exam and take the proper x-rays so that your dentist can determine exactly how many procedures your dental implants will take. This consists of a cleaning, exam, and an x-ray. Once the dentist has all of the appropriate information, they will work together with you to decide what your treatment plan will be. However, typically, it looks something like this:
- Removal of the damaged tooth or teeth, and wait for healing
- Preparing the jawbone for the implant
- Surgery to place the implant and recovery time
- Surgery to place the abutment (or the place where the crown attaches) and recovery time
- Placement of the crown or crowns.
The entire process can take several months, but after the whole procedure is complete, you have permanent teeth that look, feel, and act like real teeth.
Are They Hard To Take Care Of?
Dental implants in West Kendall aren’t difficult to care for after the recovery from the outpatient surgeries. Instead, you brush and floss them like you would normal teeth. You don’t even need to go to the dentist more often! Just keep up your typical appointments every six months for a general inspection and cleaning.
Here at Dr. De Cardenas’ office, we provide many kinds of dental reconstruction, including dental implants in West Kendall. Contact us today to see if dental implants are the right decision for you!